Environmentalists, civil society groups, and public health experts have called on the Federal Government to take a firmer and more transparent position on plastic pollution ahead of the global plastic treaty negotiations in Geneva.
They said this during a Plastic Treaty pre-Intergovernmental Negotiation (INC-5.2) national webinar organised by the Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev) Nigeria and co-convened by the Centre for Earth Works (CFEW).
The session, which brought together experts from across Nigeria and Africa, was organised to raise public awareness and build support for a legally binding treaty that tackles plastic pollution from a full life-cycle perspective.
Delivering a keynote on “The Global Plastic Treaty and Why It Matters”, Dr Benson Fasanya, Executive Director of Earth Works, stressed the urgency of global action.
“Plastic pollution is growing at an alarming rate – an estimated 44 million tonnes are dumped into the environment every year. This problem is rooted in the petrochemical industry and threatens both human health and the planet.
“The Global Plastic Treaty has the potential to be a system-changing instrument, if we ensure it is legally binding and ambitious,” Fasanya said.
He also provided a recap of the treaty’s negotiation journey, noting that INC-1 to INC-4 have laid the groundwork for what could become one of the most consequential environmental treaties since the Paris Climate Agreement.
Fasanya, however, said that the negotiations remain deeply political.
“Some countries, including oil-producing nations, are resisting proposals for production cuts. This threatens to weaken the treaty’s impact,” Fasanya warned.
Fasanya charged journalists to spotlight the health implications of plastic pollution, advocate the elimination of toxic chemicals in plastics, and push for transparency and strong regulatory frameworks.
“There is a need for the media to report on the establishment of a dedicated fund, highlight human rights violations, and counter false solutions such as the reliance on waste incinerators,” Fasanya added.
From the African perspective, the Executive Director of SRADev and convener of the webinar, Dr Leslie Adogame, called on Nigeria and other African states to rally behind progressive demands at the treaty negotiations.
“Africa is not a dumping ground.
“We are calling for a just treaty that addresses health, environmental justice, and plastic production cuts, especially for single-use plastics.
“Nigeria must stand firm with the African Group of Negotiators to demand polluter accountability and climate justice,” Adogame said.
Adogame said most African states participate in the negotiations through the African Group of Negotiators.
He noted that Nigeria’s position remains unclear, especially on production cuts and capping plastic use.
“While Nigeria has made some efforts, such as banning single-use plastics in some quarters, the federal government must publicly state its full support for a strong, legally binding treaty,” he said.
Other participants shared similar sentiments.
A participant, Dr Oludayo Dada, cautioned that the negotiations have become increasingly politicised and warned of backsliding.
“From what we are seeing, several countries and negotiators are shifting their positions under pressure. Many no longer want health and human rights mentioned in the treaty. This is very concerning,” Dada said.
Another participant, Prof. Babajide Alo, urged the Nigerian and African delegations not to compromise on core demands.
“Putting a cap on plastic production must remain a central priority. Spoiler countries will try to derail the process – we must be ready.”
Mr. Anthony Akpan of the Pan African Vision for the Environment called for intensified local awareness efforts while global talks continued.
“While we wait for the treaty, we must keep educating our people on the harmful effects of plastics,” Akpan said.
Mr. Daniel Oderinde applauded Nigeria’s tentative steps, including its single-use plastics ban, and called for grassroots engagement and the promotion of local alternatives.
Osarumwense Ogbeifun of CFEW, speaking on the objective of the webinar, said: “Our mission is to demystify environmental issues, empower people with knowledge, and build public support for the treaty.”
The treaty is being negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and seeks to create a legally binding international agreement to end plastic pollution.
INC 5.2 is expected to finalise negotiations ahead of the treaty’s adoption.
The Global Plastic Treaty aims to create a legally binding international agreement to combat plastic pollution, addressing the entire life cycle of plastics from production to disposal.